This qualitative study examined the lived experience of a traditional female Ojibway Elder
and her perspectives of leadership. An emergent framework of traditional female Ojibway
leadership resulted from the data, and was supported by the review of the related
literature. Implicit components of the emergent framework of traditional female Ojibway
leadership included culture, a belief in the Creator, community, and wisdom. Two
predominant themes emerged from the data. These themes were: culture and wisdom.
Culture was divided into three sub-themes. These sub-themes were: believing in the
Creator, Taryn's teaching in her birth and community. Culture was considered with
attention to spirituality because in traditional Ojibway culture the two complement each
other in their meaning. Wisdom was discussed in terms of the importance of passing on
traditional and spiritual teachings to others in her community and culture. Culture and
spirituality provided the foundation on which the research participant understood her role
in the world and the meaning of her life. Wisdom implied knowledge of individual roles
which focused on the common good of the community. As such role specification was
evident and necessary for forming parts of a whole in her community. In that process
equality among community members emerged as a virtue. The emergent framework of
traditional female Ojibway leadership) is presented as holistic in nature. The framework is
derived from the participant’s world view and illustrates her intense personal integrity
